June 7, 2001
21 Hillcrest Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
Te Telephone: (415)
453-6060
The attached letter was sent
to the Marin Independent Journal on August 2, 2000, as indicated. It was never
published.
In light of today’s
front-page spread regarding this very important subject, it is time to ask the
IJ to reconsider.
Very truly yours,
Pll hetrick
Patrick J. Hetrick
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August 2, 2999
PATRICK H. HETRICK
21 Hillcrest Drive
San Rafael, CA 94991
Tel Telephone: (415)
453-6060
Reader’s Forum
Mann Independent Journal
P.O. Box 6159
Novato, CA 94948—6159
On July 16, 2999, the IJ published an article about
a City of San Rafael project which allocated $200,000 for the restoration of a
small portion of Mahon Creek, apparently undertaken for the benefit of “native
plants… and native birds and animals”. The project involved the removal and
disposal of contaminated dirt.
While the City Council’s concern for the well-being
of our native flora and fauna is commendable, it is unfortunate that they have
not demonstrated the same concern for the human residents of San Rafael. I
refer to their lack of action with regard to the dredging of the San Rafael
Canal and it’s turning basin.
If my records and recollections are correct, the
turning basin at the West end of San Rafael Canal was last dredged in 1987. At
that time, it had been the practice of the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake
this task roughly every five years. About a year before the dredging scheduled for 1992 was to take
place, the Corps of Engineers notified the City of San Rafael in a
well-publicized notice that they would not undertake the scheduled dredging
past Harbor Street unless the City procured a dump site for the allegedly
contaminated materials to be taken from the turning basin. The Corps estimated
that the cost for this dump site would be about $171,999. The City Council
failed to address this issue or approve this expenditure. The turning basin has
not been dredged since.
The San Rafael Canal and its turning basin are
important not only to boating interests, but also to related commercial
enterprises. Over $10,000,000 in revenue is generated by the 25 marine related
commercial businesses that rely on the Canal for their existence. There are
five yacht harbors, 14 vessel inspection maintenance and repair facilities,
three storage yards, three yacht sales offices, four commercial charter and
fishing boats, and a commercial freight hauling company. In order for these
businesses to operate effectively, they need to be able to use this waterway.
The San Rafael Canal is also an IMPORTANT FLOOD
CONTROL CHANNEL. It serves approximately five square miles, encompassing 25,000
residents and many businesses.
Dredging in the Canal and turning basin is long overdue.
Unless it is undertaken soon, boating and the related maritime activities in
San Rafael will rapidly become a thing of the past.
It is my belief from materials that I have read that
the Corps of Engineers is scheduled to undertake this task next year, but is
once again balking because of the claimed contamination of the turning basin
spoils. It is the responsibility of the City Council to see that this problem
is solved by acquisition of a dump site for these spoils. According to the
article of July 16, the Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Preston, has
acknowledged that the City used such a special landfill in Alameda County for
disposal of the Mahon Creek waste. Surely, if the City of San Rafael can spare
$200,000 for the benefit of our plants and animals, it ought to be able to find
a like sum to preserve the viability of the San Rafael Canal and its turning
basin. The safety, health and prosperity of our human residents depend upon it.
Very truly yours,
Pll hetrick
Patrick H. Hetrick